Site of the Japanese Kwantung Army's Poison Gas Test Field in Bayankhan

Site of the Japanese Kwantung Army's Poison Gas Test Field in Bayankhan

The site of the Japanese Kwantung Army's poison gas test field in Bayankhan is a Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level, a classic red tourism destination, and a patriotic education base.

The site of the Japanese Kwantung Army's poison gas test field is located in Bayankhan, Ewenki Autonomous Banner, Hulunbuir City. It was the largest test field established by the Japanese Kwantung Army in Northeast China. It is now listed as part of the seventh group of Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level, announced by the State Council, and is also a patriotic education base at the autonomous region level in Inner Mongolia.

The Bayankhan Japanese poison gas test site was built in 1940 and is located in Bayantuohai Town, Ewenki Autonomous Banner, Hulunbuir City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. It lies to the west of Bayankhan Mountain (which means "the richest and highest mountain" in Mongolian), borders Hake Town of Hailar District to the north, and is 10 kilometers from Hake Station. To the northeast, it connects with Bayan Cagaan Sumu, while to the southeast and west, it borders Xin'ihe East Sumu. To the west and northwest, it adjoins Bayan Tala Daur Ethnic Township. The test site is named after Bayankhan Mountain and is the largest experimental field set up by the Japanese Kwantung Army in Northeast China. There are approximately a thousand earthen structures scattered across nearly 110 square kilometers of grassland, serving as powerful evidence of the war crimes committed by the Japanese invaders in China. These structures mainly include trenches, communication trenches, shelters for vehicles and tanks, individual foxholes, command posts, pits for livestock and small animals, and over 20 other types. The main testing area is relatively concentrated in six zones: the southwest zone features individual pits, communication trenches, and some areas in the north; the northwest zone mostly has large pits capable of accommodating vehicles and tanks, along with other types of large pits; the northeast zone consists of a larger contiguous area of trenches, communication trenches, large pits for vehicles and tanks, and individual shelters; the southeast highland hosts a separate contiguous testing facility with various structural designs.

In May 2013, the State Council issued the “Notice on the Verification and Announcement of the Seventh Group of Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level,” which verified and announced this seventh group, including the Bayankhan Japanese Poison Gas Test Site.

In August 2015, the State Council issued the “Notice on the Announcement of the Second Group of National-Level Memorial Facilities and Sites for the War of Resistance Against Japan” (State Council Document [2015] No. 47), which verified and announced this second group, including the Bayankhan Japanese Poison Gas Test Site.

Historical Significance

The site of the Bayankhan Japanese Poison Gas Test Field allows us to, while engaging in red tourism, fully recognize the crimes committed by Japanese fascist invaders, remember the history of the Chinese nation resisting aggression and fighting bravely, as well as the tremendous national sacrifices and important historical contributions made by the Chinese people to the victory of the world anti-fascist war. It can enhance national cohesion and centripetal force, inspiring us to strive unceasingly for the realization of the Chinese Dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

In May 2013, the site of the Japanese Kwantung Army's poison gas test field in Bayankhan was listed as part of the seventh group of Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level.

Bayantuohai Town: Bayantuohai Town is the seat of the Party Committee and People's Government of the Ewenki Autonomous Banner, serving as the political, economic, and cultural center of the entire banner. Under the guidance of the Party’s policies and guided by the important thought of “-”, the Bayantuohai Town Party Committee and Government have united and led people of all ethnic groups to strive together for the comprehensive construction of a moderately prosperous society. Significant progress has been made in all undertakings, and the town has undergone rapid and remarkable changes.

Bayantuohai Town is primarily a town based on animal husbandry. It boasts abundant grassland resources, with 790,000 mu of pastureland and lush, fertile grazing land, making it a natural site for... More details about Bayantuohai Town++

Further Reading:

· Seventh Group of Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level